After sending Wang Gongyang away, You Rong lay on the couch, his mind racing, tossing and turning restlessly. The conversation from earlier had left him feeling somewhat dejected.
Suddenly, Lin Qinghe's face flashed in You Rong's mind. She had said with firm determination that she could get his restriction lifted.
After a moment, You Rong curled the corners of his lips and let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Why was he thinking of her!
She was Duan Guifei's person, once utterly wicked, and her recent actions indicated she was a cunning and treacherous individual. He absolutely could not trust her!
You Rong was lost in his heavy thoughts. The next day, just as dawn broke, he was awakened by the chirping of magpies.
You Rong frowned slightly, lifted the covers, and got up. Xiao Yuzi brought in a basin of water and respectfully said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please wash."
You Rong didn't wash immediately. He walked to the window, opened it, and the magpies' calls became even clearer.
Xiao Yuzi whispered, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, for some reason, many magpies have come to the roof of your sleeping chambers today. Batch after batch, they've been chirping non-stop. If this were in the common folk, magpies heralding good news would surely mean something auspicious is about to happen."
You Rong lowered his gaze slightly, remaining silent.
He knew exactly why large numbers of magpies had suddenly appeared on the roof of his sleeping chambers. It was likely related to what Lin Qinghe had sprinkled on the roof the previous night.
You Rong vaguely guessed what Lin Qinghe was trying to do and thought she was too naive. The appearance of magpies in the East Palace could barely be considered an auspicious omen; it was insufficient to make his father change his mind.
Meanwhile.
As soon as Lin Qinghe got up, she eagerly asked Zhu Hong, "How was it? This morning, were there many magpies on the roof of the Crown Prince's sleeping chambers?"
Zhu Hong replied, "Yes, just as Sister Qinghe said, many magpies suddenly flew to the roof of the Crown Prince's sleeping chambers and chirped all morning. The maids and eunuchs in the East Palace are all saying that it's very strange for so many magpies to appear in such cold weather."
This was because the weather was cold and magpies found it difficult to find food. Sprinkling millet on the roof would surely attract a large number of magpies to feed.
Lin Qinghe's expression was quite satisfied. She nodded and said, "No need to mind what they say. Remember, tonight and the night after, we will sneak out again to sprinkle some millet."
"Yes, this servant remembers." Zhu Hong asked curiously, "But... why is Sister Qinghe doing this? Can this help the Crown Prince?"
"That..." Lin Qinghe's lips curved upwards, and she put on a mysterious air, saying, "You'll know when the time comes."
Lin Qinghe got up. Without even eating breakfast, she asked Zhu Hong to bring her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. She began to sketch on the paper. Zhu Hong saw her draw a circle, then a rectangle, and write something like "mirror."
When Lin Qinghe put down her brush and picked up the paper to dry the ink, she said to Zhu Hong, "In the East Palace, there should be someone skilled in woodworking. Give him this drawing and ask him to make it for me as quickly as possible!"
Zhu Hong thought for a moment and said, "This servant remembers that Eunuch Li in the back courtyard had learned woodworking before he entered the palace. He should be able to make what Sister Qinghe wants."
"That would be best. Quickly take it to him and tell him to make it as soon as possible!"
Zhu Hong bowed and said, "Yes, Sister Qinghe."
After instructing Zhu Hong, Lin Qinghe washed up, ate breakfast, and then went to You Rong's sleeping chambers to find him.
She presented the plum blossom cakes she had brought to You Rong, her small face wearing a fawning smile, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this servant personally made some plum blossom cakes. They taste alright. Would you like to try them?"
You Rong cast a cold glance at Lin Qinghe, his meaning clear.
Hmph! Full of lies!
These plum blossom cakes were clearly made by the kitchen chefs. How could he not recognize them?
Lin Qinghe received You Rong's cold gaze and chuckled dryly, taking the plum blossom cakes back. "Hehe... this servant understands. I won't disturb Your Highness the Crown Prince's reading. Your Highness the Crown Prince, please continue, continue..."
You Rong sat upright, continuing to read. While he wasn't paying attention, Lin Qinghe sneakily took a plum blossom cake and popped it into her mouth. Finding it delicious, she put another one in her mouth.
If you don't eat it, I will!
You Rong appeared to be engrossed in his book, but his peripheral vision was constantly on Lin Qinghe. Seeing her impudent behavior, his brows involuntarily furrowed.
In the past, Lin Qinghe's disrespectful actions towards him, relying on Duan Guifei's backing, had disgusted him to his core. Yet, in these past few days, he seemed to have grown somewhat accustomed to her rude behavior.
You Rong thought that it must be his own annoyance causing a delusion!
After another quarter of an hour, You Rong finally couldn't hold back. He put down the book in his hand and said with a hint of sarcasm, "You don't actually think that by using some petty trick to attract magpies and create an auspicious omen, you can make Father Emperor revoke his order and lift my restriction, do you?"
This was the first time You Rong had actively spoken to Lin Qinghe, which made her eyes light up.
It seemed her approach was correct!
Helping You Rong with his affairs would surely earn his trust!
To raise You Rong's expectations, Lin Qinghe deliberately kept him guessing, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince has only guessed half of it. Attracting magpies to the East Palace is merely adding embellishment. The true method to help Your Highness the Crown Prince lift his restriction is yet to come. Please wait a few more days, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and you will know then."
You Rong sneered, "Putting on airs."
Lin Qinghe smiled and didn't explain, even feeling a little smug.
You ignored me for the past few days, so now I won't tell you and will just whet your appetite!
Over the next two days, Lin Qinghe and Zhu Hong secretly sprinkled a lot of millet on the eaves of You Rong's sleeping chambers at night. The magpies, lacking food in winter, naturally treated it like discovering a great treasure. Not only did new magpies come to forage every day, but some magpies even stayed permanently, unwilling to fly away.
The East Palace was filled with the chirping of magpies all day long. Gradually, discussions spread throughout the East Palace, with everyone saying whether something auspicious was about to happen in the East Palace.
On the third day, the item Lin Qinghe had asked Zhu Hong to have made with the drawing was finally completed. It was a rectangular wooden box with a round hole in the front, into which a mirror of suitable size was inlaid.
Lin Qinghe was very satisfied. She sent away Zhu Hong, who was about to ask further questions, and began to prepare other necessary items.
Once Lin Qinghe had everything ready, she personally delivered dinner to You Rong and said to him mysteriously, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, don't go to bed too early tonight. At the hour of the rat, I will take you to do something."
You Rong frowned, "Do what?"
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly, still playing coy, "Your Highness the Crown Prince need not ask. When the hour of the rat comes tonight, you will know when you follow this servant."
You Rong snorted coldly. He neither agreed nor refused.
However, Lin Qinghe was very confident that he would follow her tonight!